MINUTES OF
AN INFORMAL MEETING OF THE
BINGHAMTON –
JOHNSON CITY
JOINT SEWAGE
BOARD
Members Present: Eugene Hulbert, Chairman
Edward Crumb
Kevin Transue
Also Present: Kenneth Helisek, Esq., Co-Counsel
John Perticone, Esq., Co-Counsel
Catherine Aingworth, Interim Superintendent
John Cox, Fiscal Officer
Dawn Sante, Transcriptionist
Michele Cuevas-ABSENT
Guests: Dr. Diana Saber, GTI
Dr. Steven Tekesh, GTI
James Harvilla, NYSEG
Lisa Hoffman, Southern Tier Environmental Services
Bob Palladine, C&S Engineers
Arthur Van Gelder, C&S Engineers
Judy Graham, Stearns & Wheler
Howard LaFever, Stearns & Wheler
Brian Kessler,
City of
Harry Lewis,
Mayor,
Debra Preston,
Supervisor, Town of
Tom Dellamarta, Superintendent, Town of Conklin Water & Sewer
Dan Griffiths, Griffiths Engineering
PUBLIC HEARING
A public hearing was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. to review the amended Rules & Regulations relating to the use of the Binghamton-Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant. Mr. Hulbert read the amended changes to Section 5.07 of Plant Law Section 4.05. There were no public attendees. No questions asked.
Chairman Hulbert called an informal Board meeting to order at 1:46 p.m. Since there was no quorum, a formal board meeting is scheduled for April 17.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE – Dr. Diana Saber
Mr. Harvilla introduced Dr. Saber. GTI is a not-for-profit forensic chemistry center that has been retained by NYSEG to perform research on the quality of environmental gases coming from the Binghamton-Johnson City Joint Sewage Treatment Plant and come up with a model or “tool” that will show how anaerobic digester can best be harnessed to produce high quality fuel. This study is being funded by NYSEG at a cost of $300,000. The only cost to the Plant is taking time to answer questions. The study is estimated to be complete by December 2007.
If you can, Please note the
comments of Mr. Crumb and Mr. Transue, particularly regarding request for
percentages of copyright and royalty payments resulting from this study, as
well as questions regarding why they chose our plant.
It was confirmed that numbers for the model are preliminary and will change once the BAF are up and running. Upon completion of this study, both NYSEG and the Plant will receive a recommendation on how to move forward to fund a partnership to create pipeline quality marketable fuel for a specific end use. At Mr. Hulbert’s request, the report will also include estimated costs on what installation of equipment would cost as well as return on investment.
C&S ENGINEERS – Arthur Van Gelder
Mr. Van Gelder gave updates on tanks 5 & 8.
Note that there was a question about why there was an additional charge
for insurance.
Mr. Palladine sent a formal bid to Mr. Kessler for the City to bid the project.
Mr. Kessler will advise of the outcome at the April 17 board meeting ???
Mr. Van Gelder distributed a revised insurance certificate. Mr. Perticone noticed that the Plant was not listed as the named insured and requested the certificate be amended. Mr. Van Gelder will get the certificate amended by the April 17 board meeting.
Falter was contracted to do two separate projects. The total cost to the Plant for these two contracts is $_____. It was determined to modify the original contract and amend the work needed to be done to save the plant $________.
Mr. Van Gelder gave an update on the TPS pumps and head house tanks. The head house tanks are being held up in customs by Homeland Security. As soon as they arrive the work will proceed.
Mr. Van Gelder gave an update on Contracts 3 & 4.
Mr. Palladine will distribute copies of the most recent SPEDES Permit at the next board meeting.
Mr. Perticone, Mr. Palladine and Mrs. Aingworth will be meeting on April 17 before the Board meeting to discuss the revised DEC Consent Order.
Mr. Perticone will give a SEMO update at the April 17 board meeting.
Mr. Palladine distributed a Clarifier Improvement Project Report along with a sample schedule. Mr. Hulbert will be meeting with Mr. Transue at the plant to discuss some questions regarding this report.
TOWN OF CONKLIN – Debra Preston
The Town of Conklin is requesting approval from the Plant to discharge wastewater into the Plant’s sewer system from a proposed sanitary sewer extension starting from the Broome County Corporate Park South along Conklin (Rte. 17).
Ms. Preston introduced two guests: Dan Griffiths, Griffiths Engineers, and Tom Dellamarta, Town of Conklin Water & Sewer Superintendent. Ms. Preston emphasized the need to extend the Town of Conklin water and sewer infrastructure in order to build a new development in their flood-torn community. Mr. Griffiths displayed a map of the Town of Conklin showing where these new developments are being built and reviewed the flow numbers. The flow will stay the same but the existing boundaries will change.
Mr. Hulbert stated that approval must go first through the City of Binghamton, including the city council. The project then must also get approval from the Village of Johnson City. The Joint Sewage Treatment Board will then determine whether the plant can handle the additional flow. Mr. Hulbert then advised Ms. Preston who to contact to move forward. Mr. Helisek will perform research as to what the exact procedures are and advise Mr. Hulbert.
FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT – John Cox
Mr. Cox presented the Fiscal Officer’s Report with a balance of $2,221,682.
Mr. Cox is still working on details of 41J. He was directed to send a letter to the state comptroller requesting clarification regarding the contract language offering the availability of 41J as well as a cash sick time buy out. The contract language needs to be clarified.
Mrs. Aingworth was questioned about a $14,000 line item
for emergency work done in 2006 by Falters. Mr.
Perticone and Mrs. Aingworth stated that the copy of the procurement policy
that they both had stated the Superintendent had the ability to authorize work
under $20,000, provided three quotes were sought. Mrs. Aingworth clarified that
the work was done by Falters because no other contractor was available at the time
of the emergency. Mr. Helisek reviewed his copy of the Procurement Policy,
which had been revised in 2002, and stated that since the cost was over $5000,
Mrs. Aingworth needed to get board approval prior to allowing this repair to be
made.
EXECUTIVE SESSION – None due to lack of quorum
Mrs. Aingworth will work with Mr. Helisek regarding an employee issue that needs resolution.
Moving forward, Mr. Hulbert requested Ms. Cuevas send him a copy of board meeting agendas prior to the meetings so that he is aware of who will be in attendance.
The timing of the April 17 board meeting was revised to 1:30 p.m. in Johnson City.
Mrs. Cuevas will confirm the exact location with all attendees.
The meeting was concluded at
Note:
These notes were forwarded to Mrs. Cuevas and I have bold and italics
the information that Mrs. Aingworth noted.
Also, Mrs. Sante tape recording of this meeting was very bad on the
recorder she was using. Since Mrs.
Cuevas was not in attendance, the backup recording was not done.
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